Device for locking a hypodermic needle hub to a syringe



Feb. 6, 1968 I R. A. BROOKFIELD 3,367,331

DEVICE FOR LOOKING A HYPODERMIC NEEDLE HUB TO A SYRINGE Filed April 7, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 6, 1968 R. A. BROOKFIELD 3,367,331

DEVICE FOR LOCKING A HYPODERMIC NEEDLE HUB TO A SYRINGE I Filed April 7, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 A p, 6 43 A 1 H Ez ia 1220951202 lla'lzfzazzwi flflfl ooiifielcg United States Patent 3,367,331 DEVICE FOR LOCKING A HYPODERMIC NEEDLE HUB TO A SYRINGE Richard A. Brookfield, 90 Spring Lane, Canton, Mass. 02021 Filed Apr. 7, 1965, Ser. No. 446,291) 7 Claims. (Cl. 128-221) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Locking device for locking a needle to a hypodermic syringe, the needle having a plastic hub of a multilateral cross sectional shape, the device having a member provided with a passage having an outwardly opening socket shaped and dimensioned to slidably receive a hub and a member having an inturned locking edge, the device having two positions established by turning one member relative to the other, in one position the socket being open and in the other, the edge so intersects it that it bites into a hub seated in the socket.

Needles of the above referred to type are shown in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 75,746, filed Dec. 14, 1960, now Patent No. 3,294,082.

The present invention relates to a device for locking the hub of a hypodermic needle to a syringe, the hub being of plastic and relatively long and of a multi-lateral cross sectional shape.

Hypodermic needles of the above referred-to type are individually packaged, each in a hollow container dimensioned to house one end of the needle and having a neck slidably receiving a portion of the hub and holding it against turning. An elongated hollow cap fits on and is sealed to the container and is dimensioned to house the remainder of the needle.

A syringe for such a needle has a socket dimensioned to receive a substantial portion of the hub. In the above referred-to application, the inner end of the socket is threaded and it and the hub are so dimensioned that the hub, when bottomed in the socket, may be turned to thread it securely in place. While such a connection is secure, once effected, the possibility exists that the hub may not be turned sufiiciently to ensure the positive connection between the syringe and the needle. In practice, the cap is removed and the exposed end of the needle, if for use with a cartridge type of syringe, is inserted thnough the socket until the hub is seated therein, the container being used as a tool for positioning and turning the needle and is then pulled from the hub if the hub is properly attached to the syringe.

The objective of the invention is to provide a locking device that will be more positive and more easily operated, both in securing and releasing the needle hubs, than the previously used, threaded connections.

In accordance with the invention this objective is achieved with a syringe having a locking device comprising a pair of members, one member within the other and the members connected so that one can be turned relative to the other. One member has an axial socket in its outer end in communication with an axial passage opening through its other end, the socket being of lesss length than the hub and dimensioned to slidably receive a portion of the plastic hub and to hold it against being turned. The other member has an inturned locking edge, which, in one position of the rotatable member relative to the other member, is out of the path of a needle hub being seated in the socket and, in another position of the rotatable member, the locking edge intersects at least one corner of the seated hub, the hub material being sufii- 3,37,33l Patented Feb. 6, 1%58 ciently soft to enable the locking edge then to bite into it. The hubs are molded from nylon or other plastic that permits the locking edge to effect a secure grip thereon.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a locking device in which the socket member is fixed to the syringe and the second member is a sleeve connected to the first member to be turned relative thereto between a hub receiving and releasing position and a hub locking position.

Another objective of the invention is to have the locking edge of approximately the same size and shape as the socket thereof to bite into each corner of the hub when the members are in hub-locking relationship.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention from which these and other of its objectives, novel features, and advantages will be apparent.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a packaged needle,

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary and longitudinally sectioned view of a hypodermic syringe of the cartridge type, in accordance with the invention, with the needle package open to permit the needle hub to be inserted in the socket of the locking device using the container as a handle,

FIGURE 3 is a section taken approximately along the indicated lines 33 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but with the needle hub seated in and anchored by the locking device,

FIGURE 5 is a section taken approximately along the indicated lines 5-5 of FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 but with the syringe shown in elevation and with the container removed,

FIGURE 7 is a section taken approximately along the indicated lines 77 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 8 is a section taken approximately along the indicated lines 88 of FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 9 is a section taken approximately along the indicated lines 99 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 10 is an end view of the container,

FIGURE 11 is a longitudinal section through a locking device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 12 is an end view thereof, and

FIGURE 13 is a like view with the parts in their needle locking relationship.

The needle shown in the drawings is of the type fully detailed in my co-pending application to which reference has already been made, the needle comprising a cannula 10 having oppositely beveled ends providing tissue piercing points 11 and 12. The cannula 10 has a plastic hub 13 of substantial length and square in cross section molded thereon. In practice, each such needle is sold in a package consisting of a hollow container 14 dimensioned to house one end of the needle and having a cylindrical neck 15 shown as formed with a square opening 16 dimensioned to slidably receive and frictionally retain a portion of the hub 13 and to hold it against turning with the remainder of the hub and the other needle end exposed. The package also includes a hollow cap 17 dimensioned to receive the exposed needle end and the exposed portion and to fit the neck 15. In practice, the cap 17 and the container 14 are sealed together with a seal, such as a heat or other seal, that is releasable by twisting the container and its cap relative to each other.

The needle just described is for use with syringes of the well-known cartridge type. Such a syringe is shown in FIGURES 29 with a holder 18 for a cartridge 10 with the holder 18 having an end member 20 having a seat 21 for one end of the cartridge 19 and provided with an internally threaded, axial passage 22.

A locking device in accordance with the embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIGURES 2-9 is shown as consisting of a member 23 having an enlarged end 24 threaded for entry into the passage 22 until its flange 25 engages the end member 20 of the syringe. The member 23 has an axial socket 26 opening through its outer end and in communication with an axial bore 27 opening through its inner end with the inner end of the socket providing a shoulder or seat 26A. The socket 26 is shown as square in cross section and is dimensioned to slidably receive a needle hub 13 and to hold it against rotation.

The locking device includes a second member in the form of a tapered sleeve 28 rotatable on the member 23. The end of the sleeve 28 is knurled as at 29 to provide a finger grip and has a seat 30 for the flange 25 of the member 23 thus to enable the sleeve 28 to butt against the end Wall 20. The outer end of the sleeve 28- has an inturned flange providing a locking edge 31 shown as square and so dimensioned that in one position of the Slbv6 225 relative to the member 23, the locking edge 31 does not interfere with the seating of a hub 13. into the socket 27. In another position of the sleeve 28 relative to the member 23, the locking edge intersects the corners of the seated hub 13, see FIGURE 5, the hub material eing sufiiciently soft to enable the locking edge to bite into the seated hub.

In order that the two positions may be positively established, the member 23 is provided, see FIGURES 7 and 8, with a transverse groove 32 which receives the end of an inwardly disposed pin 33 carried by the sleeve 28, the groove 32 being so dimensioned as to provide the first or hub receiving position of the sleeve 28 when the sleeve 28 is turned to the left as far as possible and the locking position thereof when the sleeve 29 is turned to the right to a corresponding extent.

In practice, a needle package is opened by removing its cap 17 to expose one end of the needle and a portion of its hub 13. With the sleeve 28 turned to the left, the exposed portion of the needle is entered into the socket 26, using the container 14 as an attaching tool, see FIGURES 2 and 3, until the end of the neck 15 butts against the end of the sleeve 28. The sleeve 28 is then turned to the right to bring its locking edge 31 into holding contact with the hub corners, see FIGURE 5. The container 14 is then pulled free. The engagement of the locking edge 31 with the hub is also effective to hold the sleeve 28 against accidentally being turned into its hub releasing position. After the syringe has been used, the container 14 may be pushed back over the exposed end of the needle and the hub. After the sleeve 28 has been turned to the left, the needle is detached by pulling the container 14 axially away from the syringe. If a needle were not within container 14, it could be manually held by its hub and inserted in the socket 26 until it was hottomed against the shoulder or seat 26A.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIGURES ll13, the syringe has the front end of its cartridge holder 18A threaded at 34. The locking device for use with such a syringe includes a member 35 having a bore 36 threaded for attachment to the syringe and a knurled flange 37 at its inner end facilitating the attachment of the device thereto.

The member 35 has an outer end 38 of reduced diameter and provided with a socket 39 that is square in cross section and an intermediate tapered part 40, the socket 39 being dimensioned to slidably receive a needle hub 13 and to hold it against being turned relative thereto.

A generally indicated sleeve 41 is rotatably supported by the member 35 and includes an inner part 42 fitting the member 35 and having a radial, inwardly disposed pin 43 whose inner end extends into a transverse slot 44 in the member 35 of sufiicient extent to permit the sleeve 41 to be turned approximately 45 relative to the memher 35. The sleeve 41 also includes an outer part 45 fitting the end 38 of the member 35 and an intermediate part 46 fitting the tapered part 40 thereof. At the forward end of the sleeve part 45 there is an inturned flange providing a square cutting edge 47.

When the sleeve 41 has been turned to the left as far as the pin and slot connection with the member 35 permits, the cutting edge 47, as will be apparent from FIGURE 12, does not block the entrance of a needle hub therein. When, as is illustrated by FIGURE 13, the sleeve 41 has been turned 45 to the right the cutting edge 47 intersects the corners of a hub if seated in the socket 39.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that locking devices in accordance with the invention are well adapted to meet manufacturing requirements as Well as those of use.

I claim:

1. In a hypodermic syringe, a locking device for attaching a hypodermic needle thereto, the needle having a plastic hub of substantial length and of a multi-lateral cross sectional shape, said device comprising a member attached to the distal end of said syringe and having an axial socket in the free end thereof of less length than the needle hub and an axial passage through the other end of the member in communication with said socket, said socket being of a cross sectional size and shape slidably receiving said hub and holding it against rotation relative thereto, and a sleeve rotatably attached to said member and including an inturned flange provided with a locking edge, in one position of said sleeve relative to said mem er, said edge being out of the path of said needle hub as it is seated in said socket and in another position thereof, said edge intersecting at least one corner of the seated hub, the plastic hub being sufficiently soft to enable said edge to bite into the hub.

2. In a hypodermic syringe, a locking device for attaching a hypodermic needle thereto, the needle having a plastic hub of substantial length and of a multi-lateral cross sectional shape, said device comprising a member attached to the distal end of said syringe and having an axial socket in the free end thereof of less length than the needle hub and an axial passage through the other end of the member in communication with said socket, said socket being of a cross sectional size and shape slidably receiving said hub and holding it against rotation relatve thereto, and a sleeve rotatably attached to said member and including an inturned flange provided with a locking edge of approximately the same size and shape as said socket and overlying the free end of said member, in one position of said sleeve relative to said member, said edge being out of the path of said needle hub as it is seated in said socket and in another position thereof, said edge intersecting the corners of the seated hub, the plastic hub being sufliciently soft to enable said edge to bite into the hub.

3. In a hypodermic syringe, a locking device for attaching a hypodermic needle thereto, the needle having a plastic hub of substantial length and square in cross section, said device comprising a member attached to the distal end of said syringe and having an axial socket in the free end thereof of less length than the needle hub and an axial passage through the other end of the member in communication with said socket, said socket being of a cross sectional size and shape slidably receiving said hub and holding it against rotation relative thereto, and a sleeve rotatably attached to said member and including an inturned flange provided with a square locking edge of approximately the size of said socket and overlying the free end of said member, in one position of said sleeve relative to said member, said edge being out of the path of said needle hub as it is seated in said socket and in another position thereof, said edge intersecting the corners of the seated hub, the plastic hub being sufficiently soft to enable said edge to bite into the hub.

4. In a hypodermic syringe, a locking device for attaching a hypodermic needle thereto, the needle having a plastic hub of substantial length and of a multi-lateral cross sectional shape, said device comprising a member attached to the distal end of said syringe and having an axial socket in the free end thereof of less length than the needle hub and an axial passage through the other end of the member in communication with said socket, said socket being of a cross sectional size and shape slidably receiving said hub and holding it against rotation relative thereto, a sleeve, and means connecting said sleeve and said member for turning of the sleeve between first and second positions relative to said member, said sleeve including an inturned flange provided with a locking edg in the first position of said sleeve relative to said member, said edge being out of the path of said needle hub as it is seated in said socket and in the second position thereof, said edge intersecting at least one corner of the seated hub, the plastic hub being sufficiently soft to enable said edge to bite into the hub.

5. The syringe of claim 4 in which the connection between the member and the sleeve is a pin extending internally of the sleeve and carried thereby and the member has a transverse, pin-receiving groove.

6. In a hypodermic syringe, a locking device for attaching a hypodermic needle thereto, the needle having a plastic hub of substantial length and of a multilateral cross sectional shape, said device comprising a pair of members, one member within the other and interconnected so that one may be turned relative to the other between first and second positions, one member being fixed on the distal end of the syringe, the inner of said pair of members having a socket opening through its ends and of a cross sectional size and shape to slidably receive the needle hub and hold it against turning, and the outer member including an inturned, transverse locking edge, in the first of said positions, said edge being out of a path of a needle hub as it is seated in or removed from said socket, and in the second of said positions, said edge intersecting at least one corner of the seated hub, the plastic hub being sufficiently soft to enable said edge to bite into the hub.

7. The syringe of claim 6 in which there is a shoulder at the inner end of the socket limiting the extent to which a hub may be entered therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,051,241 9/1962 Myerson "128-221 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

D. L. BAKER, Assistant Examiner. 

